Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Stepping into the Darkness"

Dec. 19, 2004

“In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” John 1:4-5

Darkness is scary. A young lad had to deliver milk to nearby farms by foot in the dark. In the daytime he knew the roads and paths well. But in the darkness of night, he had no way of knowing where the potholes and dips were. He had to muster up some boldness to head into the dark.

God also stepped into the darkness of our world—a world filled with evil, sin, violence, and hate. He knew what lay ahead. There would be hatred, suffering, scorn, and abuse. The world would be so accustomed to the darkness, that it would not want it disturbed.

Yet, with boldness, God stepped into the darkness.

Why would He do it? He did it for us. We, the world, were engulfed by this darkness. God knew that for this dark world there was only one hope. To combat the darkness of sin and death, God had to be one of us—a true man. And so, God the Son stepped into the darkness bringing with Him light. He would destroy the powers of darkness by taking upon Himself the sin, violence, guilt, and death that enshrouds the world. As the fourth Advent candle is lit, we are reminded that His light has shone in our hearts and lives, filling us with forgiveness, peace, hope, and love.

Prayer: Thank You Lord for facing the darkness for us. Help me testify boldly to others of Your light. Amen.

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